What Impact Could Pennsylvania Primary Have On Presidential Race?
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Just about a month away, on Tuesday, April 26, voters in Pennsylvania will head to the polls for the primary election. Expect the Philadelphia suburbs to play a key role especially in the highly contested race for the Republican presidential nomination.
The Philadelphia suburbs are home to a more traditional conservative, and St. Joe's University history professor and political analyst Randall Miller says it's often a bellwether of sorts to which Republican primary candidate might fare best in the general election.
"And that's why this area of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania itself is so critical," he says.
Recent polls show John Kasich and Donald Trump in a virtual tie, with Ted Cruz about ten points back. But Miller says, Cruz can still score big here, as he's well organized in Pennsylvania and has been lining up party leaders. Miller points out that they're the ones who select the delegates.
"Cruz might not be the darling, and probably won't be the darling in the suburbs," he says, "but he actually might have greater strength than what we see in terms of votes and on paper."
But Miller says stay tuned.
"There are just so many variables floating around," he says. "It's hard to predict anything right now."